SMALL WORLD April 2008
By Jann Mitchell
FAWCO Rep

REMEMBERING GRANDMA
It's been said that the reward for toiling through parenthood is eventually becoming a grandparent. More time, less work - and tons of joy!

Most of us remember our grandmas with fondness. I was born on my maternal grandma's birthday, and we invariably celebrated together. I was her only daughter's first child, and the only local grandchild. She always made me feel special. Although she died when I was 17, Carrye Edith Fluhart Dailey remains close to me as I understand her in new ways as I "gramma" eight American grandkids, two Swedish ones - and more than 100 kids in Tanzania, East Africa (where I'm known as "bibi").

One of those orphaned Africans is 8-year-old Ashura. She knows the year she was born, but not WHEN. Now, every child deserves an official birthday to celebrate. Since I was once a little girl with a grandmother to share the day, and am now a grandma without a grandchild born on July 26, the solution seemed easy: invite Ashura to share mine! Eagerly, she accepted, and a gap is suddenly filled for the both of us.

Our April 2 lunch is about filling more gaps - as well as honoring grandmothers. That's why I urge you all to turn out in gloves, hats, matching bags - whatever makes you think of your grandmother (maybe even her photo?) and a story about what made her so special. Why not invite a friend along to share the fun?

And don't forget to pack that handbag with plenty of money, because our "Remembering Grandma" lunch is a benefit aimed at helping build communal housing for AIDS orphans and the "bibis" raising them in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Other groups like us in the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas have held Thanksgiving dinners, Valentine's dances, auctions and such to buy the plot and begin construction through the Bibi Jann Children's Care Trust. When it opens officially (probably next fall), we're arranging a safari there for anyone who wants to come!

Meanwhile, April's lunch (read more about the April lunchoen) will feature a brief presentation with colorful photos about the African grandmas and their kids, opportunities for you to share memories of your own dear grandmas (or flash pictures of new grandchildren! ) - as well as the opportunity to "shop" for charity.

We'll have eco-friendly shopping bags for sale, crafts our bibis have made (weavings, batiks, clothes), a stunning ebony tea set, sea shells from the Indian Ocean and exotic items you won't want to pass up! (Where else could you buy a replica African village?!)

Please join us for a good time guaranteed to "raise the roof" for Grandma!

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* FAUSA/FOUNDATION "School Supplies" Project: Your purchase of a $15 Kids Help Certificates provides school supplies and a backpack to children in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Bogotá, Colombia. Contact Ann De Simoni to learn how you can help. Participating High School students may earn a "Letter of Recognition" for their college applications and possibly receive credit for community service hours by participating in this "kids helping kids" fundraising project.

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Contact: Jann M., FAWCO REP